What Is Sleep Debt?

Sleep debt is the difference between the amount of sleep your body needs and the amount you actually get. It accumulates over time — a night of 5 hours when you need 8 leaves a 3-hour deficit that doesn't simply vanish the next morning.

Research suggests you can partially recover from mild sleep debt by sleeping extra on subsequent nights, but chronic debt lasting weeks or months has lasting effects on cognitive performance, metabolism, and immunity.

How to Use This Calculator

1. Select your age range to set the recommended sleep target.
2. Enter the number of hours you slept each night this week.
3. Click Calculate My Sleep Debt to see your results.